Home/TV/The Moorside: Sheridan Smith is ‘scarily accurate’ in role for new BBC drama based on the abduction of Shannon Matthews - 'You get goosebumps'

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The Moorside: Sheridan Smith is ‘scarily accurate’ in role for new BBC drama based on the abduction of Shannon Matthews - 'You get goosebumps'

SHERIDAN Smith’s performance in BBC Drama The Moorside has been praised by those involved with the search for Shannon Matthews back in 2008.

By Katie Storey

Monday, February 06, 2017

The schoolgirl was reported missing after a swimming lesson and her disappearance had sparked a huge search effort by police and the local community.

In a shocking turn of events, it was later discovered that Shannon’s mother Karen Matthews had set up her kidnapping along with accomplice Michael Donovan, so the pair could split the reward money for finding Shannon and bringing her home.

Karen was sent to prison for eight years but was released after four, while Shannon has been given a new identity and is now living with a new family.

The girls also commented on Gemma’s portrayal of Karen in the show and claimed the actress had a striking resemblance to Shannon’s mother when in character.

“When you watch parts of the programme, you think, ‘God is that the real footage?’” Julie said.

Both Julie and Natalie had been heavily involved with Shannon’s story.

Natalie revealed that she had grown suspicious of Karen’s involvement with Shannon’s kidnapping fairly early on.

This Morning: Natalie Brown revealed she had raised her suspicions of Karen Matthews early on into the case [ITV]

She recalled: “It started when she did the very first interview outside of her house, I was there when the family liaison officer told them not to do the interview or speak to the press because of previous cases.

“It could put the child’s life at risk, why would you then go and do that?”

Julie, meanwhile, had visited Karen in prison once a month, for four years, to “get answers”.

This Morning: Julie Bushby and Natalie Brown praised the 'amazing' cast of The Moorside [ITV]

Following news of Shannon’s case being turned into a TV drama, some of her relatives had said they were “disgusted” at the thought, with Shannon’s grandparents claiming their granddaughter “deserved to live her life in peace.”

When asked what the local community thought of the show, Julie revealed: “Nothing has really been said, but they’d rather it not pop up on Facebook.”

This Morning: Julie Bushby and Natalie Brown claimed the local community were "not bothered" by BBC drama The Moorside [ITV]